Associate Professor Michael Hilton, of Dunedin, MNZM for services to conservation
Associate Professor Michael Hilton has researched, visited, and categorised most sand dunes left in New Zealand and developed a classification list of dunes of National Significance. His work on Stewart Island has done much to preserve the last remaining West Coast transgressive dune system in New Zealand. He has more than 50 publications, has shared his knowledge in public meetings and talks, and has involved students and volunteers in his field work. Associate Professor Hilton is a member of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society, New Zealand Coast Society, International Geosphere-Biosphere Committee of the Royal Society of New Zealand, and Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research.